U.S. health data reference
Use these source-linked figures to understand how Americans report using complementary health approaches, dietary supplements, and pain-management options. Last updated September 9, 2026.
What this covers
Functional medicine is not itself a single survey category. This reference brings together the closest national measures: selected complementary health approaches, use for pain management, and dietary supplement use. Each figure keeps its original survey year and definition so it can be quoted accurately.
Citable statistics
36.7%
In 2022, 36.7% of U.S. adults reported using at least one of seven approaches measured by the National Health Interview Survey. The same measure was 19.2% in 2002.
Source: NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2024 analysis of 2022 National Health Interview Survey data19.2%
The comparable 2022 figure was 36.7%, showing a 17.5 percentage-point increase over two decades.
Source: NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2024 analysis of National Health Interview Survey data49.2%
Among adults who used any of the seven measured complementary health approaches, 49.2% reported using one for pain management in 2022.
Source: NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2024 analysis of 2022 National Health Interview Survey data28.8%
Among people reporting any of the measured approaches, this was up from 11.4% in 2002.
Source: NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2024 analysis of National Health Interview Survey data57.6%
This estimate covers U.S. adults age 20 and older in 2017-2018.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017-201863.8%
The comparable figure for men was 50.8%, measured among U.S. adults age 20 and older during the prior 30 days.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017-201813.8%
In the same 2017-2018 survey, 13.8% of adults age 20 and older reported using four or more dietary supplements in the prior 30 days.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017-201880.2%
This was the highest-use group in the 2017-2018 CDC survey, measured over the prior 30 days.
Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017-2018How to read these figures
These surveys describe what respondents reported using. They do not show whether a treatment, supplement, or approach is appropriate, safe, or effective for a particular person. Health decisions should account for medical history, current medications, and guidance from the clinician managing that care.
For supplements, a complete list matters. The CDC survey counted vitamins, minerals, herbals, and other dietary supplements used during the prior 30 days.
Methodology and sources
This page uses national survey findings published by the CDC and the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Source links appear with every statistic.
The complementary health figures use 2022 National Health Interview Survey data. Dietary supplement figures use 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.
Functional PharmRX will review this page regularly and update figures when a newer primary source is available. Last reviewed September 9, 2026.
Functional PharmRX. Complementary Health and Supplement Statistics in the United States. Updated September 9, 2026. https://functionalpharmrx.us/functional-medicine-statistics
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